Beverage Cooler

ABSTRACT

A portable beverage cooler comprises an automobile tire and a bottom membrane attached thereto. Optionally, a drain valve may be inserted in the side wall of the tire to facilitate draining liquid from inside the beverage cooler. Additionally, a pair of handles may be attached to the cooler to enhance its portability. Also, a base may be attached to the tire and/or rollers may be attached to the base or to the tire to increase the portability and point-of-sale functionality of the cooler.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application is a continuation of U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 10/958,132, filed Oct. 4, 2004 entitled “Beverage Cooler” whichclaims the benefit of U.S. Design application Ser. No. 29/209,779, filedJul. 21, 2004. The disclosure of each of these applications is herebyincorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to coolers and a method for making coolers.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Coolers for holding beverages or other food items desired to be keptcool are well known. Coolers come in a variety of sizes and shapes andare made out of various sorts of insulting materials such as foam orresilient polystyrene plastic, e.g., STYROFOAM®. Coolers are commonlyfilled with ice in order to cool beverages or other items or to maintainthe cool temperature of those items. Coolers filled with ice are used atquick stop gasoline stations to display cool beverages and allow patronsconvenient access to the beverages on sale. In such applications, thesize, shape, and style of the cooler may have an effect on attracting apotential customer's attention and furthering a sale.

Coolers filled with ice are also commonly brought to sporting events,particularly outdoor summer sporting events such as auto races. Coolersare used for tailgate parties before and after sporting events or on thesidelines or pit stops during the events. Coolers specifically adaptedfor a particular sports genre would be desirous.

During a typical automobile race, the tires on the race cars areperiodically changed. Race car tires and tires in general have a limitedtread life. When they become worn, to improve performance and/or safety,they are replaced. During a typical auto race, one race car may use 3-5sets of tires. Replaced race car tires are typically shredded and theirdisposal may be costly and environmentally unfriendly. Occasionally,used tires may be used around traffic cones or on loading docks.

It would be desirous to have a cooler with increased marketing appeal atquick stop gasoline stations. It would also be desirous to have a coolerthat would be unique to the auto racing industry. Finally, it would bedesirous to create another use for worn tires, particular worn tiresthat have a particular significance, e.g., the tires from a winning racecar.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

This invention addresses these desires by using a rubber automobile tireto create a portable beverage cooler. Specifically, a membrane or bottomwall is attached to an automobile tire, e.g., a racing slick tire from arace car. This creates a container which can hold ice and cool beveragesor other items. Optionally, a drain valve may be inserted in the sidewall of the tire to facilitate the draining of liquid, e.g., water, frominside the cooler. Additionally, a pair of handles may be attached tothe cooler to enhance its portability Also, a base may be attached tothe tire and/or rollers may be attached to the base or to the tire toincrease the portability and point-of-sale functionality of the cooler.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The objectives and features of the invention will become more readilyapparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunctionwith the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of one preferred embodiment of the beveragecooler of the present invention filed with ice and beverages;

FIG. 2 is a top view, partially broken away, of the beverage cooler ofFIG. 1, the cooler being empty;

FIG. 3 is a front view of the beverage cooler of FIG. 1; and

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of thebeverage cooler of the present invention.

FIG. 4A is a perspective view of another alternative embodiment of thebeverage cooler of the present invention.

FIG. 4B is a side view of yet another alternative embodiment of thebeverage cooler of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

As shown in FIGS. 1-3, the portable beverage cooler 10 is typically madefrom a tire 12, e.g. a rubber automobile tire. However, the tire 12 maybe made of any material without departing from the spirit of the presentinvention. These tires 12 may be new or may be used or recycled tires12. Some used tires 12, e.g., the racing slick tires 12 from a favoriteor winning race car, or a particular brand or style of tire 12, may havea particular significance and be particularly desirous of use. The typeof tire 12 selected can also have a functional significance. Forexample, the width and diameter of the tire 12 will determine the sizeof the beverage cooler 10 and the amount of ice 14 and beverages 16 itcan contain. Tires 12 suitable for use may be obtained from CompetitionTire West, Inc., 12666 U.S. 12, Post Office Box 666, Brooklyn, Michigan49230.

The tire 12 has a pair of generally parallel side walls 18, 20 that areconnected by a circular tread wall 22 having an outer surface 23. Abottom wall 24 is attached or sealed to the tire 12 whereby a beveragecooler 10 capable of holding ice 14 and beverages 16 is formed. Thisbottom wall or membrane 24 may be placed within the tire 12 so as torest upon and be supported by the bottom side wall 20 of the tire. Thebottom wall or membrane 24 is preferably made of rubber, but may be madeof any other desired material, such as plastic, or a roofing compositematerial. This bottom wall 24 is preferably attached to the bottom sidewall 20 of the tire 12 with an adhesive. However, any other means suchas using mechanical fasteners (not shown) may be used to secure thebottom wall 24 of the cooler 10 to the bottom side wall 20 of the tire12.

The interior surface 27 of the bottom wall 24, the interior surface 29of the tread wall 22, and the interior surface 31 of the top side wall18 may be coated so as to increase the insulating effect of the cooler,enhance the aesthetic appearance (e.g., by using a white coating), andto promote the sealing and/or attachment of the bottom wall 24 to thetire 12. Typically these surfaces are sprayed with an expandablerubberized paint although other types of coatings or methods ofapplication could be used. The rubberized paint will expand to betweenapproximately ½ to ¾ of an inch in thickness. This type of coatingprovides a pliable shiny white surface.

A circular opening 25, defined by the opposite side wall 18, as shown isleft open to facilitate easy access to the beverages 16. Optionally, alid or other covering (not shown) could be used to cover this opening25.

A drain or drain valve 26 may also be attached to the tire 12. Thisdrain valve 26 may be a spigot or a spout and, as shown, is attached toand penetrates through the tread wall 22 of the tire 12. As shown, thedrain valve 26 has a seal ring or gasket 28 attached to the outersurface 23 of the tread wall 22 and a twist valve 30 which opens orcloses the drain 26. When the drain 26 is open, liquid 27, such as waterfrom melted ice 14 can drain out of the cooler 1 0 through the drainlumen 32. A ball valve suitable for use for the drain valve 26 isavailable from American Valve, Greensboro, N.C.

The beverage cooler 10 may also contain one or more handles 34. Theinclusion of handles 34 will often enhance the portability of the cooler10. Additionally, including two or more handles 34 will allow the cooler10 to be carried by more than one person. Such handles may beparticularly desirous if the cooler 10 is quite large, quite heavy (e.g.when filled with ice and beverages) or when the distance needed totravel is quite large. As shown, each handle 34, comprises a cord orrope 38 and a sleeve or handle grip 40 surrounding the length of cord orrope 38. Typically, the chord 38 will be comprised of heavy braidednylon and the sleeve 40 will be comprised of rubber or vinyl. A solidbraided poly rope suitable for use for the rope or chord 38 is availablefrom The Lehigh Group, 2834 Schoeneck Road, Macungie, Pa. 18062. A oneinch vinyl tube suitable for use for the sleeve 40 is available fromWatts Anderson Barrows, 815 Chestnut Street, North Andover, Mass.01845-6098. The chord 38 passes through eyelets or apertures 42 in thetread wall 22. As shown, a clamp 36 is attached to the chord 38 andprevents the chord 38 from passing back through the eyelets 42.Alternatively the ends 46 of the chord 38 may be tied in a knot or tiedtogether to prevent the chord 38 from passing back through the eyelets42. Still other means of preventing the chord 38 from passing backthrough the eyelets 42 could be used without departing from the spiritof the present invention. A pair of grommets 44 are attached to thetread surface 22 and reinforce the eyelets 42. The grommets 44 arepreferably brass and are comprised of male and female sections whichclamp together and against the tread surface 23 and the interior surface29 of the trend wall 22. Optionally, the eyelets 42 could be sealed toprevent leakage.

Although one configuration of handle is illustrated and described, anyother type or configuration of handle may be used in accordance with thepresent invention.

As shown in FIGS. 4, 4A and 4B, where like numbers denote like parts,alternative embodiments 10 a, 10 b, 10 c of the present inventioninclude coasters, casters, rollers, or wheels 48 to facilitate movingthe cooler 10. As shown, the rollers 48 are attached to a base 50. Whilenot shown, rollers 48 could also be attached to the tire 12 in theembodiment of the invention shown in FIGS. 1-3. Threaded Stem RigidCasters (Grainger Catalog stock #5X750) suitable for use for the rollers48 are available from E. R. Wagner Casters & Wheels.

The base 50 is adapted to support the tire 12. The tire 12 a may besecured to the base 50 through the use of an adhesive or mechanicalfasteners (not shown). As shown, the base 50 is comprised of anothertire. Alternatively, the base 50 could be comprised of one or moreadditional tires or of other materials without departing from the scopeof the invention. Additionally, as shown, an umbrella 52 is used toshade and further the insulating properties of the cooler 10.

The method of making the portable beverage cooler 10 comprises providinga tire 12 and attaching a bottom wall 24 to the tire 12. As discussed,the tire 12 could be an automobile tire 12. Additionally, the method formaking a cooler 10 can also comprise the step of attaching a drain valve26 to the tire 12. The method of making a cooler 10 may also include thestep of attaching at least one handle 34 to the tire 12. Finally, thehandle 34, as discussed, can be comprised of a chord 38 and a sleeve 40.

From the above disclosure of the general principles of the presentinvention and the preceding detailed description of at least onepreferred embodiment, those skilled in the art will readily comprehendthe various modifications to which this invention is susceptible.Therefore, I desire to be limited only by the scope of the followingclaims and equivalents thereof.

1. A cooler comprising: a tire; and a bottom wall attached to said tire.2. The cooler of claim 1 wherein the tire is an automobile tire.
 3. Thecooler of claim 1 wherein the tire is comprised of rubber.
 4. The coolerof claim 1 wherein the bottom wall is comprised of rubber.
 5. The coolerof claim 1 further comprising a drain attached to the tire.
 6. Thecooler of claim 1 further comprising a base attached to the tire.
 7. Thecooler of claim 6 further comprising at least one roller attached to thebase.
 8. The cooler of claim 1 further comprising at least one handleattached to the tire.
 9. The cooler of claim 8 wherein the handle iscomprised of a cord and a sleeve.
 10. The cooler of claim 9 wherein thecord is comprised of heavy braided nylon.
 11. The cooler of claim 9wherein the sleeve is comprised of vinyl.
 12. A portable beverage coolercomprising: a rubber automobile tire having a pair of generally parallelside walls connected by a circular tread wall; a bottom rubber membraneattached to one of the side walls; a drain valve attached to andpenetrating the tread surface; and a pair of handles attached to thetread surface.
 13. The cooler of claim 12 wherein the handle iscomprised of a cord and a sleeve.
 14. The cooler of claim 12 furthercomprising a base attached to the tire.
 15. The cooler of claim 14further comprising at least one roller attached to the base.
 16. Amethod for making a cooler comprising the steps of: providing a tire;and attaching a bottom wall to the tire.
 17. The method of claim 16wherein the tire is an automobile tire.
 18. The method of claim 16,further comprising the step of: attaching a drain valve to the tire. 19.The method of claim 16, further comprising the step of: attaching atleast one handle to the tire.
 20. The method of claim 19 wherein thehandle is a chord and a sleeve.